Professionalism
An excellent description of what constitutes medical professionalism was published by the American College of Physicians and serves as the centerpiece of our program's attempt to teach and evaluate this domain of performance. The article is sent to all trainees twice/year and concepts are discussed in noon conferences/housestaff meetings on a regular, ongoing basis. 1. ABIM position paper - This is a succinct description of medical professionalism.
2. Program Director's Memoranda - Reminders of various elements of the ABIM document are mailed to trainees and discussed at housestaff meetings.
3. Evaluation of Professionalism - 360 degrees: Teaching and Work Rounds Attending Physicians ( General Competency Evaluation), nurses ( Nurse Evaluation of Resident), discharge planners ( Discharge Planning Evaluation) and patients ( ABIM Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire) provide substantive feedback. 4. Clinical Skills Examination (CEX) - The full clinical skills exam conducted once yearly for all trainees, and focused, mini-CEX's also examine professional demeanor and therapeutic relationships at the bedside.
5. 6-Competency OSCE - Every other year, trainees perform an objective skills evaluation at 6 stations (one for each competency). The professionalism station includes case-based scenarios that gauge various concepts reviewed in the ABIM position paper. 6. "Odds and Ends" - Since timely medical record-keeping, attendance at educational conferences and contributions to the community beyond routine resident responsibilities, these areas are tracked (through examination of delinquent medical records lists, departmental attendance records, and the residents' portfolio).
7. Cultural Curriculum - Dr. Beata Skudlarska has been pivotal in identifying the unique problems encountered by foreign medical graduates as they enter a new culture and new medical system. She has created a dynamic, interactive curriculum to address issues from how to open a checking account and get a driver's license to intercultural differences in the doctor-patient relationship and medical ethics. Top
A summary of all six ACGME competencies may be downloaded from the following link.
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